Section: 4scwc
Ann Mintz's Biography
Ann Mintz joined the staff of the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia in 1983 as Special Assistant to the Director, Joel N. Bloom. She subsequently served as Director of Communications and Marketing and Director of Special Projects. In the latter role, she project-managed the pioneering "Unisystem", a museum-wide interactive network that included several computer stations in every exhibit as well as an Internet component for educators.
As Vice President for Research and Development, she master-planned the exhibit program for the Orlando Science Center in Florida. She then oversaw the development of all programs and exhibits at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she served as founding Executive Director.
Until August of 2004, she was Executive Director of the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a century-old museum of art and natural history which joined ASTC during her tenure. Then, she moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, to become President and CEO of the Chester County Historical Society.
Ann Mintz has written extensively on museum and science-center topics, including co-editing a book called "The Virtual and the Real: Museum Use of Media" (American Association of Museums, 1998) and has spoken at numerous museum and science center conferences on demographics, information technology, the Internet and its impact on museums and science centers, museums and the sense of place, managing change, and other topics.